New judge assigned in Zimmerman case

Thursday

Aug 30, 2012 at 4:37 PM

Judge Debra S. Nelson was assigned George Zimmerman's case Thursday.

The Associated Press

ORLANDO — A 13-year judicial veteran has been assigned to take over the second-degree murder case of a former neighborhood watch leader accused of fatally shooting a Florida teenager. Judge Debra S. Nelson was assigned George Zimmerman's case Thursday, a day after an appeals court granted his attorney's request for Judge Kenneth Lester to disqualify himself. Attorney Mark O'Mara had asked the court earlier this month to overturn Lester's decision not to leave the case. O'Mara contended that the judge made disparaging remarks about Zimmerman's character and advocated for additional charges against him in setting his $1 million bond in July. Two judges on a three-judge appeals panel agreed in an opinion issued Wednesday. O'Mara previously said if he won the appeal, he could re-file previous motions ruled on by Lester.

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